GAME REPORT

Sparta&K Win Opener In Brno

Frisco Sika Brno matched Sparta&K Moscow Region blow for blow for much of the game but eventually caved in against the Russian giants on the opening night of the EuroLeague Women.

Sparta&K, led by the Serbian duo of Sonja Petrovic and Jelena Milovanovic, pulled away over the final 17 minutes for an 87-70 victory in the Czech Republic.

The Group C battle was tight with 7:16 to go in the third quarter after Brno's Jasmine Thomas scored to cut Sparta&K's lead to 42-38.

Milovanovic, who had 17 points, buried a shot from the arc and then new signing Evgenia Belyakova caught a pass from Becky Hammon before drilling a jumper to make it 47-38.

Sparta&K would go on to outscore Brno 27-17 in the quarter for a 65-51 advantage.

Twice Pokey Chatman's team went in front by 22 in the final period.

They coasted over the last 2:30 minutes and finished with a 17-point triumph.

Petrovic, who has battled serious knee injuries in her young career, had a game-high 18 points on eight of 10 shooting from the field.

Milovanovic was a perfect three of three from long range.

The reigning FIBA Europe Young Player of the Year, Nika Baric of Slovenia, played 25 minutes and finished with four points.

Spartak also got nine points and five boards from Candice Dupree and for points, five rebounds, seven assists and a game-high five steals from Jelena Skerovic.

Last season, Montenegro international Skerovic played for Brno.

Farhiya Abdi had 14 points and four rebounds for Brno.

COACH QUOTES

Quotes Frisco Brno vs. Sparta&K Moscow Region

Frsico Brno Head Coach Jan Bobrovsky: "The result is a little cruel. Or maybe the points different is too big. Sparta&K has a very good team with excellent players. But today the stars from Sparta&K didn´t shine. We played very bad on defence in the second period and offered our rival the victory. I told before the season we have a very young and inexperienced team. I apologised to our player. But I am disappointed today, because our players didn´t fight. That I couldn´t apologise. We don't have a team which could win and only walking on the field and play smart basketball."

Sparta&K Head Coach Pokey Chatman:"I always expect a tough game in Brno. It´s my experience in Sparta&K. It´s a long tradition. Brno had good fans, their coaches prepared the team very well. It´s always tough, I wasn´t surprise. We improved in the second half our defence, start more running transition. It was the difference in the game. Brno have a young team. But the good thing in this games is the gained experience."